Design and beauty hides in our everyday lives

January 12, 2017

This morning I begrudgingly got out of bed and put on three layers of winter garments to go shovel last night’s dusting of snow. I complained about the “miserable” and “worthless” snow, as I am neither a snowboarder nor a snowmobile enthusiast. But somewhere in the middle of the task, I thought about the complexity and design of snow. Sure, it all looks the same from a distance, and because I have spent my entire life looking at it, it seems unremarkable to me. So I searched the internet for a little more information on the snowflake, and here is what I found:

Mike GroveManaging Director

Did you know that a single cubic meter of snow holds 350 million snowflakes, each consisting of more than 200 ice crystals made up of water molecules shaped in perfect order? Each hexagonal and crystal-like structure possesses a unique shape, which has baffled scientists for years. From disorganized water molecules passing through clouds, they lose their random movements when temperatures drop. They begin to form in groups as a solid, uniting into unique microscopic hexagonal forms that are, although similar in appearance, very different when amplified. They form like links in a chain and are never exactly the same. Their design is a blend of variety and perfection created by the greatest designer of all. The formation of snowflakes constitutes yet another aspect of God’s artistry.

I will say that I now have a different feeling about snow. I can’t say that I necessarily like shoveling, but I do respect and appreciate it for what it is. I am struck with the idea that after a while a person can look at the same thing over and over and it just becomes “what is.” A person who relocates from a different part of the country that has never seen snow might feel completely differently about it. In no way do I want this to come off as self-serving, as this does tie back into what we do at Canfield Business Interiors.

Just like how we miss the beauty in something over time, it is completely possible to miss the ugly in something as well. We just get used to “what is.” Others who might see our space for the first time will have a very different perspective. They will either be attracted to it or repelled by it. Good design helps bring out the beauty in everything. It is the difference between what we like and what we don’t like. It’s intentional, and not “sort of.” We believe that strong design promotes attraction and retention of top employees and candidates. We aren’t naïve enough to believe that we will ever create anything as perfect as the snowflake, but we do believe that like the snowflake, everyone’s idea of great design is different. Let us help you create your own personal snowflake.